Contacts

Our Corporate Finance team operates from locations throughout the country in order to help service our clients in the most effective way. The principal team members in the various locations include:

Manchester

David Youngman - Deputy Chief Executive David is Managing Director of WH Ireland Group plc and is Head of Corporate Finance. He began his stockbroking career as Head of Investment Research with Charlton Seal Dimmock & Co. in October 1975. He became a partner of the same firm in 1980 and was appointed investment research director upon incorporation in 1987. Upon the acquisition of Charlton seal Ltd. by Benchmark Group, he was appointed a main board director of Benchmark and chief office of Charlton Seal Ltd. He joined WH Ireland Ltd in May 1995 with Laurie Beevers and is Deputy Chief Executive of WH Ireland Ltd.
Laurie Beevers - Chief Executive Laurie read Economics and Politics at Bristol University and commenced his stockbroking career in 1972 with Orme & Eykyn in London. Following three years in South Wales with Lyddon & Co., he became a member of the London Stock Exchange in 1978 and a partner of that firm in 1980.  Upon incorporation, he was appointed a director of Charlton Seal Limited with responsibility for institutional sales.  He joined WH Ireland Limited as Chief Executive in May 1995.  His areas of investment specialisation includes smaller companies, both in the UK and Australia.  For a number of years, he was a director of Gwalia Consolidated, Biotech International and, latterly, Metals Exploration PTY Ltd.
Dan Bate, Corporate Finance Director   Dan is a Director of Corporate Finance and is involved in all types of public company transactions including AIM IPOs, reverse takeovers, secondary fundraisings, takeover code advice as well as looking after the day to day regulatory requirements of companies quoted on AIM in WH Ireland’s capacity as nominated adviser.  Dan is also in WH Ireland’s private M&A team who specialise in acquisitions, disposals, MBOs, MBIs and the raising of private equity and debt funding in relation to such transactions.  Prior to joining the corporate finance department of WH Ireland in 2007, Dan, a qualified solicitor since 1999, worked as a lawyer for Clifford Chance, Christopher Bate Solicitors, Stringer Saul and, more recently, Halliwells LLP where he specialised in all areas of corporate finance work, including flotations, fundraisings, acquisitions and disposals (acting for both buyers and sellers).
Robin Gwyn - Director After qualifying as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse, Robin spent three years in the corporate finance department of a merchant bank in South Africa before joining Kleinwort Benson in London where he spent six years working on a range of corporate finance transactions for public companies. He then spent seven years working for a large retail group, primarily on M&A transactions, before joining WH Ireland in January 2005.
Katy Mitchell - Director Katy qualified as a corporate lawyer with Pinsents (now Pinsent Masons) and spent two years at the firm, before moving to the corporate department of Cobbetts LLP.  During her time as a corporate lawyer she has worked on many transactions for both public and private companies including initial public offerings; corporate finance; private equity and M&A. She joined WH Ireland in March 2006, following a seven month secondment to the firm.

 London

John Molyneux - Executive Director John joined the Stock Exchange in 1967, transferring to merchant banking and, ultimately, became an Investment Director of English Trust in 1980.  He returned to stockbroking in 1990 and joined WH Ireland in April 1998, becoming a Director in March 2000.
James Joyce - Executive Director James is a Director of Corporate Finance. A qualified chartered accountant, James has advised on a wide range of public and private transactions including flotations, M&A and private equity. He previously worked at Arthur Andersen and at the London Stock Exchange where he was in the AIM team and subsequently the listing department. Prior to joining WH Ireland he spent 5 years working at a venture capital and corporate advisory firm.
Oliver de Giorgio Miller - Associate Director Oliver has over 15 years' experience in the management of start-up, emerging and established biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medial device companies. He has a strong background in international sales and marketing acquired from senior positions held at global organisations including Schering AG, Hoffman la Roche and Intavent-Orthofix. He was CEO of Photo Therapeutics Group, a company of Cancer Research UK and a leader in the field of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer before he became WH Ireland's Life Sciences analyst.
David Porter - Executive Director David is a Director of Corporate Finance. With over 15 years of investment banking experience, he has advised on numerous public and private transactions including flotations and M&A, particularly in the natural resources sector.  Prior to joining WH Ireland, he worked for Canaccord and Dresdner Kleinwort.

Birmingham

Tim Cofman-Nicoresti - Executive Director Tim has over twenty years' corporate finance experience, during which time he has worked for a major accounting firm, an international bank and two other brokers. His experience includes, cross border M&A, fund raisings (both public and private), friendly and hostile mergers and debt rescheduling and corporate reconstruction. He has completed transactions in the US, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. He is responsible for the WH Ireland Biotech team but also has experience of many other industries.
Katy Birkin - Director Katy graduated from Durham University in 2002 with a 2:1 in Business Finance. She joined Arbuthnot Securities in late 2002, where she worked on a number of Full List and AIM transactions including Rule 3 advisory work, public-to private, rights issues, reverses and secondary placings. Since joining WH Ireland in late 2004, Katy has advised a number of companies on IPO’s, reverse takeovers and secondary placings, and advises clients on continuing obligations in relation to the AIM Rules and Takeover Code. Katy obtained her Securities and Investment Institute Diploma in December 2006.
Louise O'Donoghue - Assistant Louise graduated from Sheffield University in 2003 in English Literature. She joined 3i in mid 2004 where she assisted on a number of private equity transactions. Louise joined WH Ireland in June 2005 and provides support and assistance on corporate finance transactions as well as co-ordinating the fundraising process.
Nicola Rayner - Executive Nicola re-joined WH Ireland in October 2006 having previously worked with Nomura International in London and Deloitte & Touche. Nicola’s experience includes M&A transactions, AIM admissions and reversals. Nicola is also responsible for managing the fundraising process for Birmingham clients.

Leeds

Richard Lindley - Executive Director Richard joined WH Ireland in October 2006 to head the new corporate finance department in Leeds. Prior to WH Ireland, Richard spent seven years in the corporate finance department at stockbroker Williams de Broë. He has been involved in a number of transactions including Official List and Aim flotations, secondary fund raisings and M&A. He joined Williams de Broë from Grant Thornton where he was involved in corporate recovery and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1996.